Implantable medical delivery device securing excess catheter tubing

ABSTRACT

A medication delivery device—preferably designed and configured to be implantable for use inside of a human body—secures excess tubing of a catheter to a pump housing. The tubing is received and retained in channels, whereby an excess extent of the catheter that is unneeded can be safely stored in an out-of-the-way position. The channels are defined in and integrally formed with the pump housing. Alternatively, the channels are defined in a catheter retention member that clips onto other otherwise attaches to the pump housing. In the alternative design, the catheter retention member may be provided separately from or provided with the pump and catheter.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING

Submitted concurrently herewith via the USPTO's electronic filingsystem, and incorporated herein by reference, are computer program filesincluding instructions, routines, and/or other contents of severalcomputer program. A table setting forth the name and size of filesincluded in the computer program listing is included below.

File Name Creation Date File Size (bytes) ASCIFY.TXT Dec. 18, 2013 14:4237473 HENS.TXT Dec. 18, 2013 14:42 1197295 README.TXT Dec. 18, 201314:42 2582

One of these files, “readme.txt”, contains instructions for extractinginformation from another of the files. This other file represents acompressed binary file that has been converted to ascii format. Thisfile can be converted back to a compressed .zip archive utilizing anassembly conversion program source code for which is contained in“ascify.txt”. The readme file includes instructions for compiling andrunning this conversion program, and instructions for converting theother text files to a compressed, binary file. This compressed, binaryfile includes an eDrawings™ file representing a computer model. Thisfile can be opened using free eDrawings™ software available fromSolidWorks Corp. (www.solidworks.com) for viewing such files.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to a medical device and, inparticular, to a medication delivery device that secures tubing.

Use of implantable pumps for delivering medication to a targetanatomical area has become a widely accepted practice. The two maincategories of medical pumps include programmable and constant flowpumps. Both types of pumps use an indwelling catheter to establish apathway from the implantable pump to a desired anatomical area. Thedesired anatomical area may include, but is not limited to, the epiduraland intrathecal space of the spine. Typically, excess catheter iswrapped and stored under the implanted pump. Some of the reportedcomplications dealing with catheter usage include kinking or malpositionof the excess catheter. The delivery of medication fails if the catheteris impeded.

Accordingly, it is believed that a need exists for the safe storage ofexcess catheter without the concern of impeding or obstructing kinks.Additionally, it is believed that a need exists for the safe storage ofexcess catheter while threading a suture material through a tissue wallsurrounding an incision, through the incision, and withdrawing thesuture material back through the tissue wall without the concern ofthreading or impacting an indwelling catheter. It is believed that oneor more of these needs and other needs are addressed by one or moreaspects and features of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Broadly defined, the present invention relates to catheter securingapparatus, methods and systems and, in particular, to a cathetersecuring apparatus, methods and systems for storing excess catheterquickly and efficiently during surgery.

In a first aspect of the present invention, a medication delivery devicethat secures tubing comprises a housing containing a pump configured todeliver medicine in the form of a fluid; a catheter extending from thepump and exterior to the housing and defining a fluid pathway fordelivering the fluid to a desired anatomical location; a catheterretention member configured to receive and retain an extent of thecatheter, whereby an excess extent of the catheter that is unneeded canbe safely stored in an out-of-the-way position; and at least oneextension wall—and preferably at least two extension walls—configured toclip the catheter retention member onto the pump housing. The catheterretention member preferably is integrally formed with the at least oneextension wall in an injection-molding manufacturing process. Thecatheter retention member also preferably defines channels dimensionedto receive and retain tubing of the catheter in a frictional fittherein, which channels also preferably are defined in theinjection-molding manufacturing process of the catheter retentionmember.

In another aspect of the present invention, a medication delivery devicecomprises a housing containing a pump configured to deliver medicine inthe form of a fluid; and a catheter extending from the pump and exteriorto the housing and defining a fluid pathway for delivering the fluid toa desired anatomical location; wherein the pump housing defines channelsdimensioned to receive and retain an extent of tubing of the catheter ina frictional fit therein, whereby an excess extent of tubing of thecatheter that is unneeded can be safely stored in an out-of-the-wayposition. The channels preferably are integrally formed with the pumphousing during an injection-molding manufacturing process.

In another aspect, a medication delivery device providing for storage ofexcess catheter, comprises: a pump configured to deliver a fluid to thebody, wherein the pump includes a front, a back, and a side wall; acatheter defining a pathway for delivery of the fluid from the pump to adesired anatomical location; a cover having a front surface and a backsurface; and at least one extension wall extending from the cover andconfigured to secure the cover onto the pump such that the cover may bedetached from and reattached to the pump. The cover includes one or morechannels each configured and dimensioned to receive and retain thereinan extent of tubing of the catheter.

In a feature of this aspect, the pump comprises a septum located on afront side for accessing a chamber for holding the fluid. The coverpreferably is positioned such that septum is not obstructed.

In a feature of this aspect, the pump comprises a stem to connect thepump to the catheter. The stem preferably is angled to direct thecatheter tubing to the one or more channels.

In another feature, the one or more channels are located on a front ofthe cover.

In another feature, the one or more channels are configured in a spiralconfiguration.

In another feature, the channels are dimensioned to receive tubing ofthe catheter in a frictional fit therein.

In another feature, the one or more channels are defined by structureformed from a flexible and resilient material and demonstratesresiliency and flexibility when tubing of the catheter is insertedtherein.

In another feature, a back surface of the cover abuts a back surface ofa housing of the pump when the cover is secured to the pump by the atleast one extension wall. T back surface of the cover may be planar, andthe back surface of the pump housing may be planar.

In another feature, the cover is made from a flexible and resilientmaterial and demonstrates resiliency and flexibility when the cover issecured to and removed from the pump. The cover may be mounted to thepump by flexing and bending of the cover.

In another feature, extension wall comprises an L-shaped clip. The atleast one extension wall may comprise two opposed L-shaped clips, eachextending a length spanning the depth of the pump housing extendingbetween a front and a back of the pump housing. When mounted, theextension wall preferably is positioned such that stem is notobstructed.

In another aspect, a catheter retention device providing for the storageof excess catheter used with an implantable medical delivery pumpcomprises: a cover having a front surface and a back surface; at leastone extension wall to secure the cover to the pump with the back surfaceof the cover abutting a back surface of the pump; and one or morechannels configured to receive and retain the catheter to the cover.

In a feature, the one or more channels are formed in the front surfaceof the cover.

In a feature, the one or more channels are dimensioned such that theexcess catheter is received and retained in a frictional fit within theone or more channels.

In a feature, the one or more channels are arranged in a spiralconfiguration.

In a feature, the one or more channels are defined by structure formedfrom a flexible and resilient material and demonstrates resiliency andflexibility when tubing of the catheter is inserted therein.

In a feature, the cover is made from a flexible and resilient materialand demonstrates resiliency and flexibility when the cover is secured toand removed from the pump. The act of mounting the cover to the pump mayinclude flexing and bending of the cover. The pump preferably comprisesa rigid housing or casing.

In another feature, an extension wall comprises a resilient and flexileclip.

In another feature, an extension wall comprises a clip.

In another feature, the at least one extension wall comprises twoopposed L-shaped clips.

In another feature, the at least one extension wall extends a lengthfrom the cover that spans a depth of the pump extending between a frontand a back of the pump. The at least one extension wall may comprise twoopposed L-shaped clips, with ends of the clips abutting a front of thepump and with a back of the cover abutting a back of the pump.

In another aspect, a medication delivery device providing for thestorage of excess catheter, comprises: a pump housing having a frontsurface, a backs surface, and a side surface; and one or more channelsconfigured to receive and retain excess catheter tubing to the pumphousing.

In a feature, the one or more channels are oriented in a spiralconfiguration.

In a feature, the one or more channels are configured to receive theexcess catheter tubing in a frictional fit therein.

In a feature, the opening is smaller than the diameter of the catheterso that the catheter may be forced into at least one of the one or morechannels and retained. The one or more channels preferably are flexibleand resilient so as to receive the catheter but have sufficientstiffness or rigidity to retain the catheter in a frictional fittherein.

In another aspect, a method of installing a medication delivery devicecomprises the steps of: providing a pump having a septum and a stem, acatheter having tubing, and a catheter securing device having a flexiblecover, the cover including one or more channels on a surface of thecover and clips for attachment of the cover to the pump; mounting thecatheter securing device onto the pump; inserting an extent of excesscatheter tubing into the one or more channels of the cover; attachingone end of the catheter tubing to the stem of the pump; and insertingthe pump into a body such that the excess extent of catheter tubingreceived within the one or more channels remains in the one or morechannels.

Another aspect of the invention comprises a catheter securing device asdisclosed herein.

Another aspect of the invention comprises a catheter securing devicesystem as disclosed herein.

Another aspect of the invention comprises a method of installing acatheter securing device as disclosed herein.

In still yet another aspect, a catheter securing device for the storageof excess catheter comprises at least one extension wall configured toattach to a pump housing of a medication delivery device; and one ormore channels dimensioned to receive and retain an excess extent oftubing of the catheter of the medication delivery device.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the presentinvention, it should be noted that the present invention furtherencompasses the various possible combinations and subcombinations ofsuch aspects and features. Thus, for example, any aspect may be combinedwith an aforementioned feature in accordance with the present inventionwithout requiring any other aspect or feature.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention, as well asadditional aspects and features, will become apparent from the detaileddescription provided hereinafter. It should be understood that thedetailed description and specific examples, while indicating thepreferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes ofillustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of an abdominal wall with animplanted medical delivery device in accordance with one or morepreferred embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a medical delivery device inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, whereinan extent of catheter tubing is received and retained.

FIG. 3 is another front perspective view of the medical delivery deviceof FIG. 2, wherein a lesser extent of catheter tubing is received andretained.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the medical delivery device of the pumpof FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view generally showing a top or front of thecatheter retention member (also referred to as a catheter securingdevice) of the medical delivery device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the catheter securing device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a view of a bottom or back of the catheter securing device ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 8A is a side view of the catheter securing device and the pump ofFIG. 3 when separated.

FIG. 8B is another side view of the catheter securing device and thepump of FIG. 3 when secured together.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the catheter securing device inaccordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the medical delivery device ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 10a is a perspective shaded view of the medical delivery device ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a first side elevational view of the medical delivery deviceof FIG. 10.

FIG. 11a is a first shaded side elevational view of the medical deliverydevice of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a second side elevational view of the medical delivery deviceof FIG. 10, the view being opposite to the view of FIG. 11.

FIG. 12a is a second shaded side elevational view of the medicaldelivery device of FIG. 10, the view being opposite to the view of FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is a front plan view of the medical delivery device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13a is a front shaded plan view of the medical delivery device ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a back plan view of the medical delivery device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14a is a back shaded plan view of the medical delivery device ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the medical delivery device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 15a is a top shaded plan view of the medical delivery device ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the medical delivery device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 16a is a bottom shaded plan view of the medical delivery device ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the catheter securing device of themedical delivery device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 17a is a perspective view of the catheter securing device of themedical delivery device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 18 is a first side elevational view of the catheter securing deviceof FIG. 17.

FIG. 18a is a first shaded side elevational view of the cathetersecuring device of FIG. 17 a.

FIG. 19 is a second side elevational view of the catheter securingdevice of FIG. 17, the view being opposite to the view of FIG. 18.

FIG. 19a is a second shaded side elevational view of the cathetersecuring device of FIG. 17, the view being opposite to the view of FIG.18 a.

FIG. 20 is a front plan view of the catheter securing device of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20a is a front shaded plan view of the catheter securing device ofFIG. 17 a.

FIG. 21 is a back plan view of the catheter securing device of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21a is a back shaded plan view of the catheter securing device ofFIG. 17 a.

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the catheter securing device of FIG. 17.

FIG. 22a is a top shaded plan view of the catheter securing device ofFIG. 17 a.

FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view of the catheter securing device of FIG.17.

FIG. 23a is a bottom shaded plan view of the catheter securing device ofFIG. 17 a.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the pump of the medical delivery deviceof FIG. 10.

FIG. 24a is a perspective shaded view of the pump of FIG. 10 a.

FIG. 25 is a first side elevational view of the pump of FIG. 24.

FIG. 25a is a first shaded side elevational view of the pump of FIG. 24a.

FIG. 26 is a second side elevational view of the pump of FIG. 24, theview being opposite to the view of FIG. 25.

FIG. 26a is a second shaded side elevational view of the pump of FIG.24a , the view being opposite to the view of FIG. 25 a.

FIG. 27 is a front plan view of the pump of FIG. 24.

FIG. 27a is a front shaded plan view of the pump of FIG. 24 a.

FIG. 28 is a back plan view of the pump of FIG. 24.

FIG. 28a is a back shaded plan view of the pump of FIG. 24 a.

FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the pump of FIG. 24.

FIG. 29a is a top shaded plan view of the pump of FIG. 24 a.

FIG. 30 is a bottom plan view of the pump of FIG. 24.

FIG. 30a is a bottom shaded plan view of the pump of FIG. 24 a.

FIG. 31 is a top plan view of the catheter securing device and pump ofthe medical delivery device of FIG. 10, wherein the catheter securingdevice and pump are detached and separated from one another and arereattachable together, as indicated by the arrow.

FIG. 31a is a top shaded plan view of the catheter securing device andpump of the medical delivery device of FIG. 10a , wherein the cathetersecuring device and pump are detached and separated from one another andare reattachable together, as indicated by the arrow.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the pump and catheter securing deviceshown in FIG. 31.

FIG. 32a is a perspective view of the pump and catheter securing deviceshown in FIG. 31 a.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the pump of the medical delivery deviceof FIG. 10.

FIG. 33a is a perspective shaded view of the pump of FIG. 10 a.

FIG. 34 is a first side elevational view of the pump of FIG. 24.

FIG. 34a is a first shaded side elevational view of the pump of FIG. 24a.

FIG. 35 is a second side elevational view of the pump of FIG. 24, theview being opposite to the view of FIG. 25.

FIG. 35a is a second shaded side elevational view of the pump of FIG.24a , the view being opposite to the view of FIG. 25 a.

FIG. 36 is a front plan view of the pump of FIG. 24.

FIG. 36a is a front shaded plan view of the pump of FIG. 24 a.

FIG. 37 is a back plan view of the pump of FIG. 24.

FIG. 37a is a back shaded plan view of the pump of FIG. 24 a.

FIG. 38 is a top plan view of the pump of FIG. 24.

FIG. 38a is a top shaded plan view of the pump of FIG. 24 a.

FIG. 39 is a bottom plan view of the pump of FIG. 24.

FIG. 39a is a bottom shaded plan view of the pump of FIG. 24 a.

FIG. 40 is a schematic illustration representative of a spiralconfiguration of channels in a medical delivery device of FIG. 10.

FIG. 41 is a schematic illustration representative of an alternativespiral configuration for a single channel.

FIG. 42 is a schematic illustration representative of an alternative,rectangular configuration of channels.

FIG. 43 is a schematic illustration representative of an alternative,oval configuration of channels.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the presentinvention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodimentdiscussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be partof a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention.Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrativepurposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the presentinvention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate onlyone or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the invention andmay further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosedfeatures. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations,modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosedby the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of thepresent invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detailin relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, andis made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein ofone or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, tolimit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention,which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof.It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded thepresent invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitationfound herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by theappended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers,” “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese,” and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of thepresent invention are next described. The following description of oneor more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in noway intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of an abdominal wall 8 of aperson's body, in which a medical delivery device 10 in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the invention has been inserted. As describedin greater detail below, the medical delivery device 10 includes a pump12, a catheter securing device 14, and a catheter 16. As shown, thecatheter 16 travels subcutaneously to enter the spinal canal. In analternative embodiment, the catheter 16 travels to another targetedanatomical area.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are front perspective views of the pump 12, the cathetersecuring device 14, and the catheter 16 of the medical delivery device10 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the catheter securing device 14attaches to the pump 12 with excess catheter 16 being secured to thecatheter securing device 14. A maximum extent of the excess catheter 16is secured to the catheter securing device 14 in FIG. 2, with thecatheter 16 extending the full distance along a spiral pathway from edgeto center of the device 14. In contrast, an intermediate extent of theexcess catheter 16 is secured to the catheter securing device 14 in FIG.3, with the catheter 16 extending only a partial distance along thespiral pathway of the device 14 and omitting the outermost radialsegment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pump 12 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG.4, the pump 12 includes a front surface 18, a back surface 22, and atleast one side wall 24. The pump 12 could be any suitable pump for usewith the catheter securing device 14 that is implanted subcutaneously todeliver medicine in the form of a fluid to the body. The front surface18 of the pump 12 may include a septum 26 to access a chamber (notshown) which holds fluids including, but is not limited to, medicine tobe dispensed within the body. The at least one side wall 24 of the pump12 may include a stem 28 for attachment of the catheter 16 to the pump12. Generally, the pump 12 releases fluids continuously or atpredetermined intervals. Fluid is released at stem 28 and travelsthrough the connected catheter 16 to a desired anatomical area. As shownin FIG. 4, the stem 28 is curved to conform to the shape of the pump 12so that the overall profile of the pump 12 is minimized. In othercontemplated embodiments, the stem 28 is angled or shaped to direct thecatheter 16 toward the attached catheter securing device 14. Forexample, the stem 28 may be curved towards the catheter securing device14. The catheter 16 could be any elongated shaft or tube which isimplanted subcutaneously or inserted through a body opening.

With reference to FIG. 5, the catheter securing device 14 includes acover 32 with one or more channels 34 and at least one extension wall36, preferably in the form of a flexible and resilient L-shaped clip orfinger. The cover 32 is secured to the pump 12 by the at least oneextension wall 36 gripping the front surface 18 of the pump 12 with adistal edge portion 37, with the cover 32 extending across the backsurface 22 of the pump 12. A frictional fit may be provided.Furthermore, at least four extension walls 36 with distal edge portions37 preferably are provided. The one or more channels 34 are located onthe cover 32 and are configured to receive and retain the excesscatheter 16 and, specifically, excess tubing of the catheter that may beunneeded in a particular case.

In this respect, the catheter securing device 14 allows doctors andnurses to safely store in an out-of-the-way position an excess extent ofthe catheter 16 quickly and efficiently during surgery. The safe storageof the excess extent of the catheter 16 ensures that the catheter 16 isimplanted into a user's body without kinks. The safe storage of theexcess extent of catheter 16 further ensures that a suture material maybe used to close an incision without impacting the indwelling catheter16.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cover 32 includes a front surface 38, aback surface 42 (shown on FIG. 7), and at least one side edge 44.Located on the front surface 38 are one or more channels 34 that areconfigured and dimensioned to define a recessed area 46 to receive andretain excess extent of the catheter 16 in a frictional-fit engagement.

In particular, and perhaps as best shown in FIG. 6, the one or morechannels 34 are configured to have a curved cross-sectional profiledefining with a curved, concave recessed opening 46. The radius of thecurved recessed opening 46 defined by the channels 34 can vary, butpreferably the radius generally is slightly smaller than a radius ofcurvature of the tubing of the catheter 16 so that the catheter 16 maybe forced into and received within at least one of the channels 34 andretained therein by a frictional-fit engagement. Moreover, the structuredefining the channels preferably is resilient and flexible and hold thecatheter 16 is within the recessed areas 46 in tension.

The one or more channels 34 preferably are comprised of sterilizableflexible resilient material which flexes to receive the catheter 16within the recessed areas 46 but which has sufficient stiffness to holdthe catheter 16. In other contemplated embodiments, the one or morechannels 34 take on a different shape other than the curved profile andspiral configuration shown. for example, the channels could be arrangedin a rectangular configuration or oval configuration, with each channeldefining a band with spacing between adjacent channels sufficient toallow the catheter 16 to pass therebetween. Four different illustrativeconfigurations are shown in FIG. 40 through FIG. 43, wherein theconfiguration of FIG. 40 schematically represents the spiralconfiguration of the series of channels of the devices of FIGS. 1-39.FIG. 41 schematically illustrates a single channel defining a similarspiral configuration. In contrast, FIG. 42 schematically illustrates aseries of channels in an oval configuration, and FIG. 43 illustrates aseries of channels in a rectangular configuration.

The excess catheter 16 may occupy all of the one or more channels 34 asshown in FIG. 2, or just some of the one or more channels 34 as shown inFIG. 3. Before or during surgery, the length of the catheter 16 may beextended by removing the catheter 16 from all or some of the one or morechannels 34. Furthermore, the length of the catheter 16 may be shortenedby adding the catheter 16 to all or some of the one or more channels 34.

The back surface 42 or side wall 44, or both collectively, includeextension walls 36 extending therefrom approximately the depth of thepump 12 (as measured between the front and back surface of the pump) soas to hold the pump 12 between the back surface 42 and the distal edgeportion 37 of each extension wall 36 and, thereby, retain the cathetersecuring device 14 and pump 12 together. Additionally, the front surface18 may include slots or recesses (not shown) for receiving thereinrespectively a portion of a distal edge portion 37 for collectivelysecuring the catheter securing device 14 to the pump 12.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the at least one extension wall 36 and distaledge portion 37 define an L-shaped finger 48 extending from the cover32. In preferred embodiments as shown, there are four L-shaped fingers48. The at least one L-shaped finger 48 is configured such that one endcontacts the front 18 of the pump 12 when the catheter securing device14 is clipped onto or otherwise attached to the pump 12.

Importantly, the at least one L-shaped finger 48 is positioned such thatthe distal end does not obstruct the septum 26 of the pump 12 when thecatheter securing device 14 is clipped onto the pump 12. Similarly, theat least one L-shaped finger 48 is positioned such that the stem 28 isnot obstructed. In other contemplated embodiments, the at least oneextension wall 36 can take on various shapes and sizes and it is notconfined to the L-shaped finger 48 as shown. Other types of holdingdevices could be employed to hold the catheter securing device 14 andthe pump 12 together, including clamps, C-shaped or U-shaped brackets,etc.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are side views of the catheter securing device 14 andthe pump 12 being connected together. To join or separate the cathetersecuring device 14 and the pump 12, the cover 32 preferably is flexed orslightly bent and/or the at least one L-shaped finger 48 is flexed orslightly bent. In this respect, the cover 32 and each finger 48preferably is resilient and flexible, and undergoes elastic deformationduring such bending and flexing. The cover 32 and each finger 48preferably are composed of one or more flexible resilient materials. Inat least one contemplated embodiment, the catheter securing device 14 iscomprised of flexible resilient plastic or polymer which is able to besterilized and which undergoes elastic deformation.

In a further contemplated embodiment, the at least one extension wall 36can be adapted further to connect to various shapes and sizes of pumpsother than the pump 12 as shown. In accordance with another embodiment,the at least one extension wall 36 is hinged to the cover 32 such thatit rotates open and closed for engaging the pump 12.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of amedical delivery device 214. As shown, the medical delivery device 214is similar in operation to the medical delivery device 10 of FIGS. 2through 8B. The medical delivery device 214 includes a pump 212 with oneor more channels 234. As shown in FIG. 9, the pump 212 includes a casingincluding a front surface 218, a back surface 222, and at least one sidewall 224. The front surface 218 of the pump 212 may include a septum toaccess a chamber (not shown) which holds fluids including, but notlimited to, medicine to be dispensed to the body. The at least one sidewall 224 of the pump 212 may include a stem 228 to attach a catheter tothe pump 212.

The back surface 222 of the pump 212 includes the one or more channels234 incorporated into the back surface 222. As shown in FIG. 37, forexample, there are nineteen curved channels 234 of the spiralconfiguration, with an additional linear channel located proximate acenter of the device 214. The one or more channels incorporated into theback surface 222 are configured to hold catheter tubing (not shown). Inanother contemplated embodiment, the one or more channels are located onthe front surface. In another contemplated embodiment, the one or morechannels are located on the at least one side wall.

As described with reference to device 10, the one or more channels 234are configured in the shape of a finger defining recessed opening 246.The size of the opening 246 can vary, but generally the opening 246preferably is slightly smaller than a diameter of the catheter tubing sothat an extent of the tubing can be forced into at least one of the oneor more channels and retained there via a tensioned, frictionalengagement. The one or more channels also are composed of asterilizable, flexible and resilient material capable of undergoingelastic deformation during flexing or bending when receiving thecatheter tubing. In other contemplated embodiments, the one or morechannels comprise a different shape or different configuration. Thecatheter may occupy all or some of the one or more channels, dependingon the extent of excess tubing that is unneeded in an particular use.

Based on the foregoing information, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements; the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medication delivery device, comprising: ahousing containing a pump configured to deliver medicine in the form ofa fluid; and a catheter extending from the pump and exterior to thehousing and defining a fluid pathway for delivering the fluid to adesired anatomical location; wherein the pump housing defines channelsdimensioned to receive and retain an extent of tubing of the catheter ina frictional fit therein, whereby an excess extent of tubing of thecatheter that is unneeded can be stored in an out-of-the-way position.2. The medication delivery device of claim 1, wherein the channels aredefined in an injection-molding manufacturing process of a body of thepump housing such that the channels and the body of the pump housingconsist of a single piece of molded material.
 3. A medication deliverydevice for securing tubing, comprising: a housing containing a pumpconfigured to deliver medicine in the form of a fluid; a catheterextending from the pump and exterior to the housing and defining a fluidpathway for delivering the fluid to a desired anatomical location; acatheter retention member configured to receive and retain an extent ofthe catheter, whereby an excess extent of the catheter that is unneededcan be safely stored in an out-of-the-way position; and at least oneextension wall configured to clip the catheter retention member onto thepump housing.
 4. The medication delivery device for securing tubing ofclaim 3, wherein the device comprises at least two extension wallsconfigured to clip the catheter retention member to the housing.
 5. Themedication delivery device for securing tubing of claim 3, wherein thecatheter retention member is defined in an injection-moldingmanufacturing process of a body of the catheter retention member suchthat the body of the catheter retention member and the at least oneextension wall consist of a single piece of molded material.
 6. Themedication delivery device for securing tubing of claim 3, wherein thecatheter retention member defines channels dimensioned to receive andretain tubing of the catheter in a frictional fit therein.
 7. Themedication delivery device for securing tubing of claim 6, wherein thechannels are defined in an injection-molding manufacturing process of abody of the catheter retention member such that the channels and thebody of the catheter retention member consist of a single piece ofmolded material.
 8. A catheter securing device for the storage of excesscatheter, comprising at least one extension wall configured to attach toa pump housing of a medication delivery device; and one or more channelsdimensioned to receive and retain an excess extent of tubing of thecatheter of the medication delivery device.
 9. A medication deliverydevice providing for storage of excess catheter, comprising: (a) a pumpconfigured to deliver a fluid to the body, wherein the pump includes afront, a back, and a side wall; (b) a catheter defining a pathway fordelivery of the fluid from the pump to a desired anatomical location;(c) a cover having a front surface and a back surface; and (d) at leastone extension wall extending from the cover and configured to secure thecover onto the pump such that the cover may be detached from andreattached to the pump; (e) wherein the cover includes one or morechannels each configured and dimensioned to receive and retain thereinan extent of tubing of the catheter.
 10. The medication delivery deviceof claim 9, wherein the pump comprises a septum located on a front sidefor accessing a chamber for holding the fluid.
 11. The medicationdelivery device of claim 10, wherein the cover is positioned such thatseptum is not obstructed.
 12. The medication delivery device of claim 9,wherein the pump comprises a stem to connect the pump to the catheter.13. The medication delivery device of claim 12, wherein the stem isangled to direct the catheter to the one or more channels.
 14. Themedication delivery device of claim 9, wherein the one or more channelsare located on a front of the cover.
 15. The medication delivery deviceof claim 9, wherein the one or more channels are configured in a spiralconfiguration.
 16. The medication delivery device of claim 9, whereinthe channels are dimensioned to receive tubing of the catheter in africtional fit therein.
 17. The medication delivery device of claim 9,wherein the one or more channels are defined by structure formed from aflexible and resilient material and undergoes elastic deformation,demonstrating resiliency and flexibility, when tubing of the catheter isinserted therein.
 18. The medication delivery device of claim 9, whereina back surface of the cover abuts a back surface of a housing of thepump when the cover is secured to the pump by the at least one extensionwall.
 19. The medication delivery device of claim 18, wherein the backsurface of the cover is generally planar.
 20. The medication deliverydevice of claim 19, wherein the back surface of the pump housing isgenerally planar.
 21. The medication delivery device of claim 9, whereinthe cover is made from a flexible and resilient material and undergoeselastic deformation, demonstrating resiliency and flexibility, when thecover is secured to and removed from the pump.
 22. The medicationdelivery device of claim 21, wherein the cover is mounted to the pump byflexing and bending of the cover.
 23. The medication delivery device ofclaim 9, wherein an extension wall comprises an L-shaped clip.
 24. Themedication delivery device of claim 23, wherein the at least oneextension wall comprises two opposed L-shaped clips, each extending alength spanning the depth of the pump housing extending between a frontand a back of the pump housing.
 25. The medication delivery device ofclaim 24, wherein the extension wall is positioned such that stem is notobstructed.
 26. A catheter retention device providing for the storage ofexcess catheter used with an implantable medical delivery pump,comprising: (a) a cover having a front surface and a back surface; (b)at least one extension wall to secure the cover to the pump with theback surface of the cover abutting a back surface of the pump; and (c)one or more channels configured to receive and retain the catheter tothe cover.
 27. The catheter retention device of claim 26, wherein theone or more channels are formed in the front surface of the cover. 28.The catheter retention device of claim 26, wherein the one or morechannels are dimensioned such that the excess catheter is received andretained in a frictional fit within the one or more channels.
 29. Thecatheter retention device of claim 26, wherein the one or more channelsare arranged in a spiral configuration.
 30. The catheter retentiondevice of claim 26, wherein the one or more channels are defined bystructure formed from a flexible and resilient material and undergoeselastic deformation, demonstrating resiliency and flexibility, whentubing of the catheter is inserted therein.
 31. The catheter retentiondevice of claim 26, wherein the cover is made from a flexible andresilient material and undergoes elastic deformation, demonstratingresiliency and flexibility, when the cover is secured to and removedfrom the pump.
 32. The catheter retention device of claim 31, whereinthe cover is mounted to the pump by flexing and bending of the cover.33. The catheter retention device of claim 26, wherein an extension wallcomprises a resilient and flexile clip.
 34. The catheter retentiondevice of claim 26, wherein an extension wall comprises a clip.
 35. Thecatheter retention device of claim 26, wherein the at least oneextension wall comprises two opposed L-shaped clips.
 36. The catheterretention device of claim 26, wherein the at least one extension wallextends a length from the cover that spans a depth of the pump extendingbetween a front and a back of the pump.
 37. The catheter retentiondevice of claim 36, wherein the at least one extension wall comprisestwo opposed L-shaped clips, with ends of the clips abutting a front ofthe pump and with a back of the cover abutting a back of the pump.
 38. Amedication delivery device providing for the storage of excess catheter,comprising: (a) a pump housing having a front surface, a backs surface,and a side surface; and (b) one or more channels configured to receiveand retain excess catheter tubing to the pump housing.
 39. Themedication delivery device of claim 38, wherein the one or more channelsare oriented in a spiral configuration.
 40. The medication deliverydevice of claim 39, wherein the one or more channels are configured toreceive the excess catheter tubing in a frictional fit therein.
 41. Themedication delivery device of claim 40, wherein the opening is smallerthan the diameter of the catheter so that the catheter may be forcedinto at least one of the one or more channels and retained.
 42. Themedication delivery device of claim 41, wherein the one or more channelsare composed of flexible material to receive the catheter but hassufficient stiffness to retain the catheter.
 43. A method of installinga medication delivery device, comprising (a) providing a pump having aseptum and a stem, a catheter having tubing, and a catheter securingdevice having a flexible cover, the cover including one or more channelson a surface of the cover and clips for attachment of the cover to thepump; (b) mounting the catheter securing device onto the pump; (c)inserting an extent of excess catheter tubing into the one or morechannels of the cover; (d) attaching one end of the catheter tubing tothe stem of the pump; and (e) inserting the pump into a body such thatthe excess extent of catheter tubing received within the one or morechannels remains in the one or more channels.
 44. A medication deliverydevice as shown and described.
 45. A medication delivery device systemas shown and described.
 46. A method of installing a medication deliverydevice, substantially as shown and described.